Update: Solved! RTH: Reassembling passengers side rear axle after swapping seals and bearings, but axle won't fully seat, something is blocking it (1 Viewer)

[ProjectsNMotion]

It looks like something became dislodged while the able was out, and is now preventing me from reinstalling the axle. What is that piece that fell down, as best as you can tell from my crappy photo? Can I realign it without pulling the third member? How difficult is pulling the third member in the rear, if I have to go that route? Thanks.

 

[Rwhat]

You have a E locker axle? If so you needed to lock the rear axle before removing the axle shaft.

 

[ProjectsNMotion]

You have a E locker axle? If so you needed to lock the rear axle before removing the axle shaft.

Correct, it's an e-locker. What fell down, and how do I fix it? Can I remove the locker actuator to realign the piece that fell?

 

[Rwhat]

The splined locking collar fell out of place. I think you can pull the plug off the detent sensor and try to use a pick to adjust the collar. You will need 2 people.

I’m not sure what will happen if you lock it now.

 

[ProjectsNMotion]

The splined locking collar fell out of place. I think you can pull the plug off the detent sensor and try to use a pick to adjust the collar. You will need 2 people.

I’m not sure what will happen if you lock it now.

Thanks. I'm a one man show though. Any mudders in the Westchester/Rockland/Northern New Jersey that can give me a hand tomorrow? I have beer and money.

 

[OGBeno]

Thanks. I'm a one man show though. Any mudders in the Westchester/Rockland/Northern New Jersey that can give me a hand tomorrow? I have beer and money.

I’m only about 40 mins away from you but I am unfortunately flying out of ALB tomorrow AM.

Good luck.

 

[ProjectsNMotion]

I’m only about 40 mins away from you but I am unfortunately flying out of ALB tomorrow AM.

Good luck.

Can the sleeve be reseated by removing the diff lock sensor, or the diff lock actuator? Or will I have to remove the differential completely? Thanks

 

[mingles]

Read through the thread below. Pay particular attention to post #13. You may need to get creative but you should be able to figure out something without pulling the diff.

Why E-Locker Should Be Locked Before Pulling Axle Shafts

 

[Mark W]

One of my buddies did not know to lock the locker before pulling the axle.. With a bit of jiggling of the axle shaft I managed to get things to fit together amazingly quickly. Failing that, if you pull the actuator you should be able to use a magnet "parts picker-uper" to position the collar correctly.

Mark...

 

[ProjectsNMotion]

Failing that, if you pull the actuator you should be able to use a magnet "parts picker-uper" to position the collar correctly.

That's my plan of attack. Thanks.

 

[bicycleagent003]

I did the same thing with my locked rear axle. I happened to have a long piece of half inch copper tubing laying around, which I slid in and was able to wiggle around until it felt like something clicked into place. Then I removed the copper tubing and the axle slid right in. I felt like an idiot and a hero at the same time. You might try something like that.
Good luck.

 

[Rwhat]

Any luck?

 

[ProjectsNMotion]

Any luck?

Yes, I'm all set now

The first approach that I tried, which is what worked, thankfully, came from the other thread

The rear diff does not need to be locked as long as you have a ~5 foot fiberglass CB antenna on the truck. Your buddy can hold your beer and eyeball it from the opposite side as you re-align the collar with the antenna..

I picked up a 3' aluminum rod from Home Depot and was able to fiddle the sleeve back into place in about 5 minutes. Reassembling everything after that was fairly trivial. And then I returned the rod to Home Depot for a refund

Thanks everyone

 

[Rwhat]

Good to hear it all good now.